The Post’s Steve Serby chatted with the Jets owner in the lead-up to their win-and-in game vs. the Bengals tonight.
Q: Do you expect Rex Ryan to be an elite coach?
A: We hope. Our goal is to win the Super Bowl. That makes you elite.
Q: Do you have a timetable in your own mind to win one?
A: There’s no time like the present.
Q: Braylon Edwards’ guarantee?
A: It shows his level of confidence.
Q: You don’t mind that?
A: I think everybody has to be who they are. I’d rather have him confident than not confident.
Q: General thoughts about the last game at Giants Stadium?
A: It’s less about the stadium (than) about how important this game is. I think we’re very, very focused on this game, and only this game.
Q: What do you expect the atmosphere to be like?
A: I think the atmosphere is going to be similar to our (Week 2) game against the Patriots. I’d never seen anything quite like that. It was totally electric. I’d never really seen the fans get as psyched up as they did for that game. They even stood up at the end of the game — they didn’t want it to end.
Q: Do you expect Fireman Ed to bring his “A” game?
A: I think the fans in general. Fireman Ed gets them going. The fans are the 12th Man.
Q: How nerve-wracking will it be for you?
A: My normal nerves will be heightened.
Q: What is your reaction to Same Old Jets?
A: I think that’s more of a press thing than a fan thing. I don’t see it when I go out to talk to the fans in the parking lot. I don’t feel the Same Old Jets. Basically, Rex has accomplished a lot in this one year. We have a young quarterback — who we think is very talented, by the way — and we’re still in the hunt right now, so it’s all good.
Q: Why is Rex a good fit for New York?
A: He’s an excellent communicator. . . . He’s a phenomenal X & Os guy, particularly on defense, and what he doesn’t know on offense he’s learning very rapidly. He’s a truth guy — he’ll tell players what he really thinks and not whitewash anything. The players feel he and the coaching staff make them better, so we have confidence in his ability to lead the team. He’s comfortable in his own skin. He’s not afraid to make a mistake; he’ll admit it. He’ll give it his best shot.
Q: Your Jets defense?
A: I just think they’re focused. They play with a lot of passion. They’re all in, so to speak. They’re confident. They know the system.
Q: If you win tonight, would that be your happiest single moment as owner?
A: That would rank up there. My happiest moment will be when we get to the Super Bowl and actually win it. . . . I think that having the things we have in place now is going to help us. . . . After 10 years working on this, the pieces are starting to come together.
Q: Most bitter defeat?
A: The Steeler game where we had two (Doug Brien) field goals (to advance to the 2004 AFC Championship game) and we missed both.
Q: What did you think when the Colts pulled Peyton Manning?
A: The Colts have done an awfully good job in managing their team. They have got their sights set on the challenge that lies ahead. We were fully intent on playing Peyton Manning the whole game.
Q: Favorite Meadowlands memories?
A: The snow game (Dec. 14, 2003) when Curtis Martin ran for (228 yards from scrimmage); the Monday Night Miracle. . . . that just doesn’t happen in football; that Patriots game.
Q: What was it like playing in the home of the Giants?
A: That’s a hard one to analyze. I don’t think it helps. It’s unprecedented in sports to have your stadium named for another team. I think the new stadium will help elevate the passion of the fans even more. The fans stuck with it. I’m sure they didn’t like going into that situation every night.
Q: Will the new stadium give the Jets a better home-field advantage?
A: The new stadium is unlike anything any of us has seen. We looked at all the great stadiums in the world. You’re going to feel the experience as you get closer to the stadium. . . . The whole interior part of the stadium will all be programmed. The fans won’t have anything to compare it to vis a vis the old stadium.
Q: What percentage of PSLs have been sold?
A: All I can say is they’re selling very briskly. December was a record month. They’re moving fast.
Q: You’re honoring some of your former players tonight. Tell me about Wayne Chrebet.
A: He’s a Horatio Alger story of football. Everybody said he couldn’t do it and he reached the highest pinnacle of football and did things nobody has done before. He’s a hometown favorite. He’s a guy who made it through his will and skill people didn’t even realize.
Q: Curtis Martin?
A: Hall of Famer. Every time he left the locker room, all the players, including me, would slap hands with Curtis. He would play hurt . . . a guy who was not the most talkative guy, but was a true leader.
Q: How are you a better owner now than you were at the start of the decade?
A: I think a decade of experience. Being an NFL owner, you have to go through an apprenticeship. All the moves we’ve made over the years, hopefully I’m better at getting us where we want to go. I think we’re poised to be successful.
Q: What do you remember about Jan. 12, 1969 (Super Bowl III)?
A: I was in the hospital recovering from a back injury. I watched the Super Bowl from a supine position.
Q: Joe Namath?
A: He’s larger than life. He’s got that Super Bowl III ring, which is incredible. When you see him with his players, he still is the leader of the team.
Q: Boyhood idol?
A: My dad.
Q: Best piece of advice your father gave you?
A: I guess, when my father was very sick, he said, “Be true to yourself and be honest with people.”
Q: Favorite childhood memory?
A: Probably Christmas when I was a total believer in Santa Claus.
Q: Favorite Christmas gift?
A: Getting my first bike.
Q: Three dinner guests?
A: Jesus; George Washington; my great grandfather.
Q: Favorite movie?
A: “Gladiator.”
Q: Favorite actor?
A: Michael Douglas.
Q: Favorite actress?
A: Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Q: Favorite singer/entertainer?
A: Frankie Valli and the Jersey Boys (Four Seasons).
Q: Favorite meal?
A: Mahi mahi and grilled vegetables.
Q: Regrets?
A: Not spending as much time with my kids as I think they deserve.
Q: Message to Jets fans?
A: I just hope the fans realize that the team is going in the right direction. We’ve accomplished a lot over the last 10 years and we want to keep it going, and we will keep it going in a positive direction.